Bankruptcy in the Channel Islands

pants04

Hi all,

As a newbie unsure if I'm posting in the right place or need to start a new thread even. Also my question maybe a little specialized.
Here goes - I was made bankrupt in 2011 discharged 9 months later - great! Everything going well. Whilst I declared bankruptcy in England, some of my debts were in Guernsey (Channel Islands) Guernsey Tax (different from HMRC) and a few utility bils etc.
I am now thinking of returning to Guernsey to work but I am unsure if these debts would still be live as Guernsey is a different jurasdiction and not even part of the European Union! I know that the OR didn't get any response from the companies in Guernsey, however this isnt unheard of, and I havent received any correspondance from them. Any help appreciated

longtermplanner

Yes this is the right place.

I don't know the answer. If no-one else replies who does know, then I suggest your first point of call should be the OR who dealt with your case. If this gets nowhere, then if the debts were significant I suggest you discuss them with a solicitor in Guernsey. Find one by putting Channel Islands as the location and Insolvency law as the issue into here: http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/find-a-solicitor/

DevCoder

Did you get declared en desastre in the Guernsey courts?


If not then the debts are still live, especially those to the Guernsey tax office (I assume it was income tax?)

pants04

Thanks for the replies.
I didn't go to court in Guernsey - and yes you are right it was income tax - for a business that didnt make any profit (accountant/bookeeper disappeared with all paperwork). It was 7 years ago....but I'm guessing income tax will come after you forever?? Worst case scenario I was thinking of making them a monthly offer once there. I owe about £10000. Once I get there if they dont say anything should I keep quiet??

DevCoder

Im not sure how you would stay quite, you'll have to file tax returns, the income tax office will pick up on past debt when you next submit.

There is no statute of limitations in the channel islands so the debt wont ever become statute barred.

The tax office will probably be open to payment in installments providing they clear the tax owed within a suitable period.

pants04

Really appreciate your feedback. I'm going to be PAYE so I guess they will just re set my tax allowance to reflect any tax owed.